A New Member's Perspective
Posted by Rob Weinberg
RB Sunrise Rotary - NOT just for grandfathers!
Walk into the Rancho Bernardo Country Club any Tuesday at 7am and you'll find bankers, lawyers, elected officials, stock brokers, journalists and every other type of business or community leader imaginable. Among them is Joe Giamanco - 30 years old and one of the newest members of Rotary International.
"I have always believed in giving back to the community" says the Poway-based Famer's Insurance agent "but I want to do more than just write a check." And though he's very involved with his church, "I am attracted to the mix of opportunities that you only seem to find in a Rotary club."
That mix stretches from international construction projects for clean water to driving local senior citizens to doctor appointments.and everything in-between. And there's a project beckoning for every type of interest and time commitment. "For me, the chance to participate in the Partners for Education program, helping kids at Abraxas High School, is HUGE!" Joe reports.
Joe confesses that joining Rotary was a mix of personal and professional goals. "Someone my age is building their future, and the appeal of Rotary in general - and the RB Sunrise Rotary club in particular - over a networking group is threefold."
"First, there's tremendous camaraderie in that room. It's instantly apparent that the members of this club genuinely like each other."
"Second, the organization does great things. They give out dictionaries to third graders, raise money for service dogs, and help soldiers in Iraq stay in touch with their kids. RB Sunrise Rotary was the first group I heard about helping people in need after the fires devastated San Diego last October. All of this tells me that there is a very special group of people present in this room."
"Finally" he says earnestly "I like the idea of rubbing shoulders with people who can teach me about life, and maybe even help my career somewhere along the line."
"Let's face it - most guys my age think of Rotary as a bunch of retired white men who meet for lunch each week. But nothing could be further from the truth."
"Rotary is an amazing organization" he laughs. "Half this club is women, people of all ages are welcomed with open arms, and you've got some really smart, friendly people showing up each week. They get great speakers, and we're finished by 8:30 because these are almost all business owners who have work to do."
"Sure we're there early to network. We meet, greet, eat and an hour or so later, we're on the street. Yet while we have lots of fun in that room, everyone is also committed to finding ways of providing service above self."
Rotary is international, and I can walk into thousands of meetings around the world and know I'll make friends.
Joe summarizes it this way: "I'm no different than anyone else - I'm torn in 10 different directions. But life needs to be about more than just paying bills."
"Were I speaking with a friend, I'd say 'set aside the video games and the TV remote and come to a Rotary meeting. Learn what it means to really give something back to the community - it feels GREAT!"
"And if you can get up early enough for a 7AM meeting, come be my guest for breakfast at RB Sunrise. I'll buy."
"I have always believed in giving back to the community" says the Poway-based Famer's Insurance agent "but I want to do more than just write a check." And though he's very involved with his church, "I am attracted to the mix of opportunities that you only seem to find in a Rotary club."
That mix stretches from international construction projects for clean water to driving local senior citizens to doctor appointments.and everything in-between. And there's a project beckoning for every type of interest and time commitment. "For me, the chance to participate in the Partners for Education program, helping kids at Abraxas High School, is HUGE!" Joe reports.
Joe confesses that joining Rotary was a mix of personal and professional goals. "Someone my age is building their future, and the appeal of Rotary in general - and the RB Sunrise Rotary club in particular - over a networking group is threefold."
"First, there's tremendous camaraderie in that room. It's instantly apparent that the members of this club genuinely like each other."
"Second, the organization does great things. They give out dictionaries to third graders, raise money for service dogs, and help soldiers in Iraq stay in touch with their kids. RB Sunrise Rotary was the first group I heard about helping people in need after the fires devastated San Diego last October. All of this tells me that there is a very special group of people present in this room."
"Finally" he says earnestly "I like the idea of rubbing shoulders with people who can teach me about life, and maybe even help my career somewhere along the line."
"Let's face it - most guys my age think of Rotary as a bunch of retired white men who meet for lunch each week. But nothing could be further from the truth."
"Rotary is an amazing organization" he laughs. "Half this club is women, people of all ages are welcomed with open arms, and you've got some really smart, friendly people showing up each week. They get great speakers, and we're finished by 8:30 because these are almost all business owners who have work to do."
"Sure we're there early to network. We meet, greet, eat and an hour or so later, we're on the street. Yet while we have lots of fun in that room, everyone is also committed to finding ways of providing service above self."
Rotary is international, and I can walk into thousands of meetings around the world and know I'll make friends.
Joe summarizes it this way: "I'm no different than anyone else - I'm torn in 10 different directions. But life needs to be about more than just paying bills."
"Were I speaking with a friend, I'd say 'set aside the video games and the TV remote and come to a Rotary meeting. Learn what it means to really give something back to the community - it feels GREAT!"
"And if you can get up early enough for a 7AM meeting, come be my guest for breakfast at RB Sunrise. I'll buy."